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2017 NEC 210.70.A.2 gives the following exception:

Exception to (A)(2)(1), (A)(2)(2), and (A)(2)(3): In hallways, in stairways, and at outdoor entrances, remote, central, or automatic control of lighting shall be permitted.

I have a stairway in my attached garage that goes up to a loft area.

Does the exception above mean I can satisfy the lighting circuit requirements if I install one motion sensing switch at the bottom of the stairs and another at the top, to control the lights in the stairway, without any wall toggle switches?

Also, I understand how to make the lights come on if one or both of the motion switches activate—just wire the switches in parallel. But am I allowed to do that? Do I need to add any special labeling anywhere to indicate the parallel operation?

Very similar to this question but I'm in the United States.

Matt Thomas
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2 Answers2

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Where lighting is required, a motion activated switch for such lighting must also have a manual on/off switch. This requirement is usually implemented as an on/off/auto switch.

So two motion activated switches in parallel are fine, as long as both have the manual override (which all generally do). No labeling required, but the switch must be placed at the usual position (4ft from floor, at top and bottom of stairs). I'd assume that's where the current box for the switch already is.

P2000
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Some wall mounted occupancy sensors have a contact operation to manually override the motion sensor, so I would think would satisfy the 2017 version of the 210.70 without even applying the exception. Incidentally the 2020 version changes the wording to "wall mounted control device". If the local authority hasn't adopted the current edition and you think using a newer version of the NEC might give a local inspector heartburn you could call them and ask.

No you can't operate switches in parallel, at very least 1/0 awg is the minimum size conductor allowed in parallel, but many occ sensors come in 3-way versions that use one of the existing travelers as a signal wire.

NoSparksPlease
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